Xetthecum Digital Ecocultural Mapping
IMERSS biodiversity informatics working group
February 1st, 2023
Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of respect and gratitude, we acknowledge that Xetthecum (Retreat Cove), Galiano Island resides within the trans-boundary bioregion of the Salish Sea, a pristine expanse that has been tended to and cherished by the Coast Salish people since time immemorial. The island rests within the shared, asserted, and unceded traditional territories of the Penelakut, Lamalcha, and Hwlitsum First Nations, as well as the shared, asserted, and ceded traditional territories of Tsawwassen First Nation. Additionally, we acknowledge the territories of all other Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking peoples who hold rights and responsibilities in this region.
Introduction
Welcome to Xetthecum, an area on Galiano Island BC of ecological and cultural significance. Complex in its ecology, cultural history, and contemporary land-use, the boundary of Xetthecum is roughly delimited by the extent of the Greig Creek watershed, including the watercourse descending from Laughlin Lake to Retreat Cove, spanning residential and agricultural lands, protected and covenanted areas, and a public shore access.
Sitting at the narrowest point on the island, Xetthecum is located at one end of a shore-to-shore route used by the Penelakut peoples…
Historic and Cultural Significance
Xetthecum holds profound historical and cultural significance for the Penelakut peoples, serving as a site for resource gathering as well as practices essential to the cultural fabric and spiritual growth of the community.
This land is of significant spiritual value, most notably at the site of the caves which were an important place for prayer and ceremony, and the merging of deer and human spirits. Regular and seasonal gatherings held in this area were part of the Penelakut’s cultural fabric, with activities like blackberry picking and clam harvesting forming an integral part of daily life.
Xetthecum was a primary resource-gathering area. Thiyaas (Florence James) and her family gathered an array of resources from this place, including berries, fruit, and shellfish. The bay provided not only essential foods but also medicinal resources, supporting both sustenance and ceremony for the community.
Cultural Values
The species found in the Xetthecum area each have specific and varied cultural values for the Hul’q’umi’num’ speaking peoples. These cultural values may include one or more of Food, Indicator, Medicine, Material, Trade and Spiritual.
The Penelakut elders hold powerful and important sacred and spiritual knowledge regarding certain plants, animals, places and ceremonies of their people. This knowledge has not been included here in this tool or on this website; it will be passed down only to those with the rights and training to be able to receive it and use it safely and appropriately.*
*adapted from Luciim’s Plants
From the Lake to the Delta: Laughlin Lake
Laughlin Lake is part of a complex wetland ecosystem supporting a diversity of plant life, including culturally significant species like cattail (stth’e’qun) and fireweed (xáts’et). The riparian areas surrounding the lake are crucial for wildlife, offering habitat for species like black-tailed deer (ha’put) and great blue heron (smuqw’a’).
From the Lake to the Delta: Greig Creek
Greig Creek was once home to abundant salmon. Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities on the island are now working together to restore Coho and Chum salmon populations in the creek, primarily through stream bank restoration and salmon fry release by local schools. This activity is an educational and cultural experience for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
From the Lake to the Delta: Delta
The Greig Creek delta was once home to significant clam gardens, which were an important food source for the Penelakut people, and clam digging was an important cultural activity. Due to ecological disruption caused by resource extraction, development, logging, and agriculture, the clam gardens have been replaced by a large and invasive oyster bed which is visible at low tide.
Life at the Cove: Caves
The caves at Xetthecum have significant spiritual and cultural significance for the Hul’q’umi’num’ speaking peoples of this region. Retreat Cove, including its caves, served as a location for private ceremonies for the people of Penelakut. Penelakut elders have emphasized the need to protect and respect these important cultural spaces; until now, the caves have not been protected and are at risk of being damaged by vandalism and overuse as a result of tourism.
Life at the Cove: Retreat Cove
“I used to spend time up in Xetthecum with my grandparents visiting with friends and picking berries and fruit. Sometimes we would anchor in there if we had to when we were on the boats.” Rosemary Georgeson
Xetthecum was important for social and cultural gatherings, as well as for traditional activities such as fishing and clam digging. (Lorne Silvey - find exact quote)
As a marine location, Retreat Cove is a habitat for rockfish and has been significant for fishing, but it is now a marine protected area to conserve these species due to overfishing and habitat destruction.
Life at the Cove: Eelgrass Beds
Lying near the mouths of Greig Creek (Hwta’loonèts ) and Davidson Creek (hulq?) ,the eelgrass beds at Xetthecum are an important marine ecological community. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a foundational species that creates a complex habitat, thereby providing shelter for a large number of diverse species.
Seagrass ecosystems are an important link between the ocean and the land. Lying at the wide mouths of estuaries and in the grey silts and sands of the intertidal and foreshore, these tidal meadows are beautiful and nourishing places where sunlight, freshwater, saltwater , and sediments combine. This unique intermingling gives rise to food webs that allow life of all kinds to flourish, from microscopic bacteria and algae to larger animals like crabs, fishes and birds (13).
The eelgrass beds at Xetthecum form a critical nursery for many species’ young including juvenile salmon and flatfish, and serve as a spawning ground for herring (2,3). They also provide rich foraging habitat for numerous invertebrates and many larger creatures, including heron (smuq’wa) and geese (ey’x (4,5), and are home to the Hooded nudibranch or sea slug (q’uyatl’un).
Other functions of seagrass meadows include filtering excess nutrients from the nearshore environment, preventing shoreline erosion, and storing carbon (3). Eelgrass meadows, kelp beds and coastal marshes are massive carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 at a rate of up to 90 times that of forests on land (from the video). Protection and conservation of these areas is thus important not only for biodiversity and marine species health, but also for worldwide climate change mitigation.
Saltwater (kw’atl’kwa)
Kelp (q’am)
Ecosystem and Environmental Significance
Biodiversity
The mention of various fish caught around Galiano Island like cod, herring, salmon, crab, and octopus highlights the island’s rich biodiversity. [Jeannine’s interview]
Florence refers to various species like deer, seals, and different fish, emphasising the importance of these species for food and cultural practices.
Galiano’s diverse ecosystems host a multitude of species. From ancient forests to vibrant underwater worlds, this biodiversity forms intricate webs of life, sustaining the island’s natural balance.
Galiano Island’s ecosystems exhibit high biodiversity, supporting a variety of species, including salmon, black-tailed deer, eagles, and numerous plant species, both culturally significant and ecologically important.
Community Connection
Lorne Silvey’s mentions of places like the Reservation, Xetthecum, and Kiyo’s highlight these areas’ significance for social and cultural gatherings, emphasising their role in fostering community connections and traditions.
Florence discusses her family connections, hereditary ownership of specific lands, and relationships with other families and communities, showcasing the community’s interconnectedness.
The people of Galiano are intertwined with nature. Traditional practices, gatherings, and shared knowledge underscore the deep relationship between the community and the island’s ecosystems.
Preservation Efforts and Future Vision
CLAM BEDS RESTORATION Rich spinoffs (Deb): Stewardship Moment of actual hunger(?) Indigenous sovereignty into access, harvesting Test case around interesting collaboration
The concerns raised about challenges in fishing due to coho fishery closure and the impact of logging industry hint at the need for preservation efforts and the articulation of a future vision to sustain these resources. [Jeannine’s interview]
Florence emphasises the need to protect and conserve resources, suggesting a future vision that involves sustainable practices and preserving traditional knowledge for future generations.
Xetthecum is a vital marine sanctuary on Galiano Island. It’s a protected area crucial for preserving rockfish and shellfish populations, ensuring their continued existence for future generations.
Galiano’s ecosystems, including Xetthecum, from lush forests to thriving marine environments, are interconnected and crucial for sustaining life. They provide resources, shelter, and inspiration, forming the foundation of the island’s health and eco-cultural identity.
Efforts to preserve Galiano’s natural heritage are ongoing. Restoration initiatives, coupled with the desire to uphold Indigenous wisdom and practices, aim to safeguard the island’s resources for future generations.
Efforts are ongoing to protect and restore the island’s ecosystems. However, colonial practices, invasive species, and industrial impacts threaten these efforts. Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities are actively involved in preserving and reconnecting with the land through various educational initiatives and conservation projects, aiming for a sustainable future vision for Galiano Island.
Efforts to preserve Galiano’s natural heritage are ongoing. Restoration initiatives, coupled with the desire to uphold Indigenous wisdom and practices, aim to safeguard the island’s resources for future generations.
Efforts are ongoing to protect and restore the island’s ecosystems. However, colonial practices, invasive species, and industrial impacts threaten these efforts. Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities are actively involved in preserving and reconnecting with the land through various educational initiatives and conservation projects, aiming for a sustainable future vision for Galiano Island.
As residents on Galiano Island and learners in this work, we are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the intricate tapestry of cultural and ecological diversity that weaves us together in this place. We commit to acknowledging the history and ongoing presence of Indigenous Peoples in this area and strive to foster relationships that honor and respect the rights, traditions, and contributions of the Coast Salish and Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking peoples.
May our work on this digital ecocultural mapping project and presence on this island contribute to a future that recognizes the importance of reconciliation, collaboration, and the rightful place of Indigenous knowledge in shaping the well-being of the Salish Sea and its inhabitants.
